"Right now, it's about getting a little breather," he said. "Getting some time off, getting to do some more environmental work, stuff away from making movies.

"I did three films in a row, back to back to back... Not a permanent break - it's an indefinite period, but just a few months off to do some other things."

DiCaprio also admitted that his job can have an impact on his personal life but explained that the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

"There's a certain price to everything, but every time I listen to myself talk about those prices I get sick to my stomach because I'm so fortunate to do what I do, really," he said. "I'm a lucky person and I have absolutely nothing to complain about.

"[A lack of privacy is] always something that's synonymous with becoming an actor but that's a conscious choice, too - you know that if you're going to venture into this world your private life is going to become public. But like I said, you adapt to those circumstances."

The Great Gatsby will open in US cinemas on May 10, with a UK release following on May 16. It will open the 66th Cannes Film Festival on May 15.

Photo gallery - Stars at the 'Great Gatsby' New York premiere:

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Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan attend The Great Gatsby film premiere in New York.
Copyright: Startraks Photo/Rex Features
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